1966 Imperial LeBaron
Sold, May 2010!
Very nice California black-plate survivor 114,000 miles, records show to be original Always in Los Angeles area New "Green Hornet" movie used 29 '64-'66 Imperials to make the Black Beauty- see May 2010 "Hot Rod" magazine. Good Imperials are now more rare! Exterior Beautiful chrome and stainless trim. Both bumpers and grill replaced with better items Regal Blue (metallic) paint is old but shines well and looks impressive. Car probably had vinyl top which was taken off long ago and possibly the car was repainted 25+ years ago. There were 6-8 areas on passenger side where paint was bad or peeling when I got the car, which I re-painted. There is a color mismatch which normally is not noticed, but easily seen when pointed out. The protector strips are from a prior owner. If I were keeping the car, I'd take those off and only repaint both sides Excellent glass and trunk Interior Very nice original interior, headliner (4 small tears), newer rear package shelf Dash is mint - no cracks Carpet and door panels are very good with newer, custom made carpet mats front and rear All leather is original and very nice "pearlescent" blue, except driver's seat, which has been re-dyed with Leatherique. All leather was completely cleaned and treated with Prestine Clean and Rejuvinator oil - the best products I've ever used! Extra original leather, exactly correct, to replace the driver's seat included. Passenger seat needs new foam. All windows work, except vent windows need new flex cables and passenger side rear window only works with the local switch Cruise control (disconnected), very nice steering wheel, trunk release, AM/FM search radio w/floor selector Original interior walnut was re-finished and looks great 3-point seat and shoulder belts Mechanical Very strong 440 V8 - no major engine work during my ownership. Very nice engine bay, and newer hood liner Same for transmission, which has very slow leak. All lights work A/C works perfectly and is cold! Exhaust was replaced when I got car and is still very good Tires new about 4 years ago, Kumho 235x70x15 (should be "75"), all give an excellent ride Rear springs re-arched and shocks replaced Power steering (newer pump, recent slight leak), power brakes, power seats, power antenna, power door locks, power windows and vent wing windows Extras One wheel, 3 wheel covers (1967 or later), instrument cluster, original seatbelts, original antenna, several square feet of blue, pearlescent leather, new fuel pump $6,500 Photos at: and more are coming! Call 818-233-0262 or send e-mail to me at: |
At 2010 Spring Fling, Woodley Park. Trophy winner!
1966 Imperial LeBaron History I acquired this 1966 Imperial LeBaron on April 1, 1995 and now am probably the third "true" owner. It has a complete history with three families in Santa Monica and Santa Barbara. It had 95,000 miles when I purchased it. It wasn't love at first sight. I knew very little about Imperials when I first saw it - not even where "LeBaron" was in the model hierarchy! I had visualized an Imperial possibly with fins or at least pod headlights. The driving test was smooth and I was sold by the view over the hood to the "eagle" crest. After a little persuasion, I bought the car from my friends in Santa Barbara, Bob Sponsel and Patricia Chidlaw. Patricia's grandparents (John and Ester Chidlaw) were the second owners of the Imperial and it had spent most of its life with her grandfather and grandmother in the Village Trailer Park, (2930 Colorado Avenue, Santa Monica). After they passed away, Patricia inherited the car and moved it to Santa Barbara.
While staying with Bob and
Patricia during the weekend of purchase, I scrubbed the
Imperial and started polishing the paint - turning small
sections of the "matte blue" into Regal Blue. It looked
promising. Cleaning continued on the paint, chrome, leather,
interior and trunk. During 1995, numerous cosmetic and small
mechanical items were fixed - hoses, air conditioning, torn leather,
sagging driver's seat, etc. That October, I bought a much improved
rear bumper and installed it in the seller's (Dr. Mike Bullock)
driveway. I also acquired other parts from him at the same time - an
antenna, headlight covers, headrests (not the correct ones), a
service manual, leather for patching worn and torn seats, etc. |